Westmont Stages Rare Classic Opera Duet
Westmont’s music and theater departments collaborate to stage two rarely seen classics in an ambitious, one-of-a-kind, dramatic operatic event Jan. 28-30 and Feb. 4-6 at Westmont’s Porter Theatre. Westmont will pair “Dido and Aeneas” (1688), composed by Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate, with Christopher Marlowe’s “Dido, Queen of Carthage” (published 1594).
Audiences have opportunities to see both shows individually or one after the other on two Saturdays.
“Queen of Carthage” is Thursday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30 at 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 6, at 9 p.m. “Aeneas” is Friday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for general admission, $7 for students, seniors and children, and may be purchased at www.westmont.edu/boxoffice. For more information, please call (805) 565-7140.
“Dido and Aeneas,” a baroque masterpiece, will feature beautiful singing, courtiers, witches, cupids, sailors, spirits and dancers. The string musicians will perform with authentic baroque bows, giving the orchestra a unique, beautiful sound.
“I’m excited that a small college like Westmont can stage shows from the world operatic canon with such high levels of artistry,” director John Blondell says. “It displays a commitment to stage and to produce great music-theater, and to make it lively, engaging, and contemporary. We have terrific singers, instrumentalists, music directors, and stage and costume designers.”
Productions of “The Old Maid and the Thief,” “La Serva Padrona” in 2015 and “The Pirates of Penzance” from 2013 have inspired the artistic community. “Pirates” received three national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C., including Distinguished Production of a Musical at the 2014 national festival.
“It’s wonderful to work with departments that desire to expand and grow beyond our comfort zones, to engage new material and make opera relevant to today’s students,” Blondell says.
“The great synergy and camaraderie between students and professors brings out the best in all of us,” says Celeste Tavera, adjunct vocal professor and National Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Competition in New York City.
Tavera credits Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, for inspiring young, talented musicians. “Not only are they talented musicians, but there are many who also love to sing and act,” she says.